it's just one big way to get kids to behave themselves, my parents never did it but i remember that my 2nd or 3rd grade class did one time. teachers told us the elf would report back to santa, and i think they said if we behaved we would get a reward. the elf would move everyday (it would be sitting on top of the smart board, teacher's desk, and other places) if it ever fell down or got unintentionally knocked over teachers would need to move it with a special mitten because it was "magic." well some kid touched it and screwed everyone else over and we didn't get the reward lol.